Brushcutter having a starter arrangement

Abstract

The invention is directed to a starter arrangement for a brushcutter which is driven by an engine mounted in a housing and secured to the one end of a carrying tube. A shaft accommodated in the carrying tube couples the engine to a transmission of a cutting tool provided at the other end of the carrying tube. The drive shaft is operatively connected with the starter arrangement which includes a starter grip. The starter grip is provided on the carrying tube within convenient reach of the operator. The brushcutter is suspended from the shoulder during use and can be started simply and readily by the operator without having to first take off the brushcutter or otherwise change its position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A brushcutter driven by an engine and supported by the operator with a body strap during the operation thereof, the brushcutter comprising: a housing for accomodating the engine therein;   a carrying tube having a rearward end connected to said housing and having a forward end;   a cutting tool assembly mounted on said forward end;   a drive shaft mounted in said carrying tube for connecting the engine to said cutting tool assembly;   body strap attachment means for attaching the body strap to the carrying tube at a location thereon so as to place said housing rearward of the operator's body and said cutting tool assembly forward of the operator's body when the brushcutter is in use by the operator;   a carrying and manipulating handle disposed on said carrying tube between said housing and said cutting tool assembly so as to place the same forward of the operator's body and in a position to permit the operator to hand-hold and manipulate the brushcutter during use thereof;   a starter arrangement for starting the engine, the starter arrangement including:   a take-up roller mounted in said housing and operatively connected to said drive shaft;   a starter cord wound on said take-up roller;   a starter grip attached to the free end of said starter cord; and,   starter grip mounting means for accomodating said starter grip thereon, said mounting means being disposed forward of said housing and associated with said carrying tube at a location so as to place said starter grip within easy reach of the operator while holding the brushcutter in its operating position.   
     
     
       2. The brush cutter of claim 1, said starter grip mounting means being secured to said carrying tube so as to be disposed in the immediate vicinity of said carrying handle between the latter and said housing. 
     
     
       3. The brushcutter of claim 1, said starter arrangement further including guide means for guiding said starter cord to said mounting means in a direction substantially parallel to said carrying tube. 
     
     
       4. The brushcutter of claim 3, said guide means being arranged next to said carrying tube for guiding said starter cord directly next to said carrying tube in the region outside of said housing. 
     
     
       5. The brushcutter of claim 4, said guide means comprising a protective tube fixedly attached to said carrying tube for guiding said starter cord between said take-up roller and said mounting means. 
     
     
       6. The brushcutter of claim 4, said guide means comprising a plurality of protective tube segments disposed one behind the other for guiding said starter cord between said take-up roller and said mounting means, said protective tube segments being fixedly attached to said carrying tube. 
     
     
       7. The brushcutter of claim 4, said starter arrangement including pulley means arranged outside of said housing for changing the direction of movement of said starter cord from said guide means into said mounting means. 
     
     
       8. The brushcutter of claim 7, said mounting means comprising a bracket for holding said starter grip in its rest position, said bracket being fixedly attached to said carrying tube, said pulley means being a pulley mounted on said bracket so as to be freely rotatable with respect thereto. 
     
     
       9. The brushcutter of claim 8, said bracket being a U-shaped bracket; and, said mounting means further comprising a tube clip for fixedly attaching said bracket to said carrying tube. 
     
     
       10. The brushcutter of claim 9, one of the legs of said U-shaped bracket having an opening formed therein for permitting passage of said starter cord therethrough, said opening being dimensioned so as to permit said starter grip to abut against said one leg when said starter cord is in its rest position. 
     
     
       11. The brushcutter of claim 10, said bracket being dimensioned to cause said one leg thereof to project above said carrying tube so as to place said starter grip at an elevation corresponding approximately to the elevation of said carrying handle.